The semi-real "fake bake"

Posted Oct 6th 2006 at 3:25PM by Sarah J. Gim (Subscribe to Sarah J. Gim's posts)

I'll admit it. I have done lots of things to get that golden glow without actually subjecting my skin to the damaging rays of the sun. Oh, alright, I've done bad things, too, like cook myself in those horrible light coffins, but that was a long time ago. I've used self-tanners at home, had tanners applied by "professionals," and even stood in the Mystic spray-on shower stall. Though I certainly had a "glow," I looked more like a glowing orange creamsicle than a natural beach beauty.

However, there might be a technology on the horizon that actually produces the same type of natural color that comes from the sun. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on a product that stimulates the body's own tan-generating cells, melanocytes. The stimulation is produced by forskolin, a naturally occurring plant compound.

In laboratory experiments, not only does forskolin create a tan color, it also had the same effect as a sunscreen. A natural, non-orange-hued tan from a cream? It's looking good, but it's still a long way before it'll be available.

Source

Tags: self-tanner, suntan, tan, tanning salons

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Leslie 10-06-2006 @ 4:28PM

I have done all the baking, as well, and currently use those lotions (Jergens) that are suppose to give you a "natural, healthy, glow." But how's a person suppose to apply ANY lotions to their back? The commercials are a joke. I also did the stand-in-the-spray/tan-will-develop-over-the-next-few-hours-thing. Unfortunately, about 3 hours afterward I had to go somewhere and didn't have the opportunity until I got home at 11:00 that night to see how things had progressed. Unbeknownst to me, I went from somewhat pale to what-the-heck-did-you-do-to-yourself-everybody's-staring-at-you-dark. It was AWFUL. I will be very happy if ever a safe product is available that will give a person an all-over, natural-looking "tan."

Stacy 10-12-2006 @ 6:34AM

The only thing I have ever used that worked is tantowels..very natural, and you can reach your back! Lasts about 5-7 days, no smell. They are great. www.tantowel.com

Annette 10-12-2006 @ 7:05AM

Leslie you gave me my morning laugh. At this point in life I am trying to tell myself that Geisha Pale is very becoming.

maritza 10-12-2006 @ 7:17AM

HI JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT YES GEISHA PALE IS BEAUTIFUL AS WELL AS HAVING A GLOWING TAN. I HAVE ALOT OF YELLOW UNDERTONES TO MY SKIN SO WHEN I USE THE JERGENS LOTION IT SUITS ME WELL AND GIVE ME A REALLY NICE TAN LOOK I HAVE NO TAN LINES I USE A LOTION APPLICATOR FOR THE BACK. IT COMES WITH A LONG HANDLE AND A FLAT FIRM OVAL SPONGE AT THE TOP. YOU PUT THE LOTION ON EVENLY ON THE SPONGE AND YOU APPLY YOUR OWN LOTION UNTIL COMPLETELY ABSORBED. I HAVE NO TAN LINES I PUT IT ON MY FEET ON MY BUTTOCKS AS WELL. JUST BLEND THAT IS THE KEY!

Dara 10-12-2006 @ 7:29AM

A real tan, using common sense and moderation, is free and natural. It creates vitaman D, which strengthens bones and helps protect from the suns hamful effects. There is even new research that it actually prevents some forms of cancer.

Dee 10-12-2006 @ 7:26AM

Okay - the Jergens is nice, but what does everyone do about the smell. I find it so off-putting. Anybody have a solution?

Holly 10-12-2006 @ 7:28AM

It's all about moderation. I love when people use the words "horrible" to describe getting a tan (whether it be from the sun or a bed) when tanning is a natural process for the body. Getting "some" sun is also a great way to obtain Vitamin D. The sun is not bad for you and neither are tanning beds permitted you don't overexpose. Not all people can tan...I understand that...but there's no reason to completely slam it either.

Kevin 10-12-2006 @ 1:15PM

As much as we need the sun to HELP produce vitamin D folks, getting a tan is not a "healthy" process. The melanocytes in your skin create the melan in order to protect you from the harmful radiation from the sun. There is nothing healthy about that process except that your body is trying to save itself from the potential for genetic mutation from these ultraviolet rays. As for the vitamin D, all we need is 10-20 minutes in the sun per day to stimulate the production of calcitriol, and that is more than sufficient. Besides, we get more than enough vitamin D from fortified milk. I love a tan as much as the next person my friends, but the healthy glow is far from healthy. ~my 2 cents

Beth 10-12-2006 @ 8:12AM

Have you all ever heard of Arbonne, the Swiss Formulations (made in the USA) skin care, health and beauty products? They have THE BEST self tanner, as well as many other great tanning products. The Made-In-The-Shade Self Tanner (shown at this link) is awesome! (Item #975)
https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showCatalog.asp?category=68

It is Botanically Formulated, won't make you yellowish, won't stain your clothes and has Anti-Aging elements, the same anti-aging elements that are in the NutriminC RE9 and NutrimenC RE9 skin care products that Arbonne is known for. It's blended with avocado oil, arnica, chamomile, linden and rosemary extracts, works great for all skin types and provides natural-looking color that lasts for days. Not only that, but it is SPF15, so you can tan and protect yourself at the same time.( 6 fl. oz./177 mL ) It lists for $28.00, but if you are signed up as an Arbonne Consultant, you can buy it for $18.20 (+tax & S/H).
Arbonne also has 8 other hair and skin products in their BefoRE Sun Anti-Aging products, plus what they call the ABC (Arbonne Baby Care) line, which has an SPF30 sunscreen for babys and persons with super sensative skin. You have to be referred by a Consultant to buy from Arbonne or to sign up for a discount, but these are really great products I am telling you about. (Ind. Cons# 15996669)

tanningisnothealthy! 10-12-2006 @ 8:01AM

Oh BROTHER! You people who are making comments that tanning is natural, tanning is healthy. Guess what? Cancer happens naturally too!
Tanning is your body's way of protecting itself! A tan is a visual indicator that your skin has been INJURED. DAMAGED, Plain and simple. You have been lulled into a false sense of security that any tanning is good. It is NOT. No, you can't live in a cave and avoid the sun, but SPF is essential. Be smart about your sun exposure. Enjoy the summer wisely. Tanning booths will be a thing of the past someday, when all the companies that make those machines start getting bombarded with class-action suits by all the people with skin cancer, just like the cigarette companies have been sued by smokers. You're beind lied to! Tanning booths are not safe! A tan is NOT healthy! Go ask any Dermatologist or skin professional. This idiotic attitude is going to get you premature aging at best, and horrible, disfiguring cancer at worst. I know somebody who lost her entire nose due to skin cancer; she was a Sun worshipper. I had another friend who got skin cancer at the age of 28 because she was tanning all the time. She's close to 40 now, and she looks like a catcher's mitt or old boot.
80% of the aging that happens to your skin is related to UV exposure. I'm sure you people making these lame, idiotic comments about Vitamin D, healthy tan, etc...are under the age of 35. You haven't yet started to see the damage you've done cropping up on your face. Ask any woman over 40 if she regrets all the tanning she did in her younger years, and she will say "yes, I wish I could take it back."

Carly Martin 10-12-2006 @ 8:14AM

I have tried every self tanner on the market, and I am allergic to them. They make me itch and break out in a rash. I have also used some of the lotions (Jergens) and they do look natural, and don't make me itch if I mix it with another lotion, and don't use it every day. But no one has mentioned the SMELL of the self tanners, and even the lotions. Yuk! It stinks! Who wants to smell like that to look tan. Not me.

Andrea 10-12-2006 @ 8:44AM

Hi,
JMO But,these tans in a bottle can be spotted a mile away..I don't care how much you blend..I have tried and tried all of these things

lori 10-12-2006 @ 8:33AM

I really don't mind being pale... the problem with being "Geisha Pale as Leslie said is I am unable find a foundation that doesn't leave a line. I have tried Lancome to Loreal and all leave a yellow or pink line. If i do try and use the Mystic tan... i look fine for 2 or 3 days and no foundation is needed, but that will begin wear off and there I am again... white and blotchy!! UGH!!

paula 10-12-2006 @ 8:39AM

iIve found that if i stick strickly to my legs and use the better self tanners(Fake bake or jergens works well if you just want a gradual build) and i use a face moisturizer with a bit of self tanner in it thats all i need to feel better in my summer clothes. As the summer progresses if i use a good spf on the beach i still get good all over color. I just have'nt found a really good self tanner that I would trust to not streak or look orangish. because lets face it the same product isnt going to look the same on every ones skin tone. what looks good on me may not look good on you. It also has to do with how dry your skin is. Its all about moderation dont pile the stuff on youll get a better result and dont bake yourself in the sun. I happen to love the sun, personally it makes me feel better mentally and pyhsically.

Melanie 10-12-2006 @ 8:43AM

Well then I can't wait for that "miracle" tan cream, however, will it also not have that nasty iodine stained smell to it that all tan creams have? I'd put that stuff on everyday if it wasn't for that.

betty 10-12-2006 @ 8:47AM

I used to have beautiful legs until I started to use the tanning beds and laying out in sun, now I have age spots all over my legs from abusing my body. If you think that using tanning beds and laying out in sun is not harmful to you think again, my skin stays so dry, I have to put lotion on everyday, and especialy after I shower, I like using the sunless tanning lotions, not only do they keep you from damaging your body more but they also help keep it moist.

KC 10-12-2006 @ 8:58AM

#7 you are so right! I developed cancer. And not skin cancer either. But after chemo and radiation I have deciced I have had my share of the sun. Did the sun cause this? Probably not but whos taking chances!And I for one dont want the chemo treatments again. The sun is not worth my life. And as far as what the sun does when we get older, wow!
I am older. I dont look my age but I do have those unsightly age spots. ugh! From the sun and tanning booths Im sure! So the jergens in the bottle is great! Any bottle tan is fine. And pale is beautiful! Look around people! More women are pale in the summer now than tan!

Kristin 10-12-2006 @ 9:04AM

Reality is we as humans do need Vitamin D, either by spending 10-20 minutes outside in an uncontrolled enviornment or inside in a controlled regulated tanning bed. Tanning like many other potentionally harmfull things we do to our bodies, like smoking, drinking, not exersising should all be done in moderation. Keeping your body hydrated and your skin moisturized will greatly reduce the dryness and wrinkles of over exposure. If tanning indoors is not an option for you I highly suggest the Mytic Tan UV-Free Booth. Look for it by name, it will give you the most even natural color and will last anywhere form 7-10 days. Make sure you follow the directions for proper application.

Lisa C 10-12-2006 @ 10:54AM

I just wanted to show a point of view can be shared for either side. I generally aviod the sun all summer and have used "tan in a can" products since 1994. Unfortunately I also live in New England and as the Winter Solstice approaches and the days get shorter I start to suffer from the lask of sunshine. I found out I suffered from a condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that causes depression from lack of sunlight. Imagine my horror when my doctor suggested going tanning to help increase exposure to the UV lights. This was a shocker because I had always prided myself in my wrinkle-free peaches and cream complexion so I didn't go near the sunlight without some SPF on me. Human Beings are designed to be able to used all our natural resources in one way or another. That explains the absorbption of vitamin D throught he sun's rays. I have had cancer but it wasn't a skin cancer and had nothing to do with going in the sun since I had always avoided it before. The fact is this: Cancer happens just like everything else when you overindulge in something, in this case sunlight. If people practiced moderation instead of overdoing everything then maybe we'd all be a bit healthier. The ability to tan in the sunlight is an adaptation that some of us have and as long as it isn't abused why does everyone have to attack each other on it? I am a person who values my body and appearance so I always avoided the tanning craze and loaded up the SPF in the Summer but for health reasons I will continue to use a tanning bed for a few minutes occasionally in the Winter to help to keep my sanity. It's better than taking all kinds of medications.

Kui ClearWater 10-12-2006 @ 9:18AM

reply to #7 Tanningisnothealthy... 2 friends of yours have gotten skin cancer? One even lost her nose? Possibly it is their closeness to you rather than the sun. All things in life pose a danger to one's health. Moderation is a key to good health no matter what we do. Most who meet me or know me always compliment me on my skin and complexion. they guess my age around mid 40's although I am in my mid 60's. I live in the sunbelt and have always had a tan and yes I visit tanning booths in the winter. Your "urban legend" blog reminds me of a study once done for playboy mag. Sterilized dimes were inserted into the rectums of lab rats who then developed rectal cancer. conclusion reached : coins cause cancer.

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